Sc. Obs. [According to the Stat. Acc. Scotl., XVIII. 474 (quoted in full by Jamieson), Keltie was a Scottish laird famous for his drinking powers.]
1. A term denoting the complete draining of a glass of liquor (indicated by turning it upside down).
1664. Cotton, Scarron., 108. With that she set it to her Nose, And off at once the Rumkin goes…. Then turning Topsy [Margin: alias Kelty] on her Thumb, Says, look, here’s Supernaculum.
1818. Scott, Rob Roy, xxviii. Are ye a’ cleared kelty aff? Fill anither.
2. A glass or bumper imposed as a fine on one who does not drink fair. Also Keltie’s Mends.
1692. Sc. Presbyt. Eloq. (1738), 143. Lord give thy Enemies the Papists and Prelates a full Cup of thy Fury to drink; and if they refuse to drink it off, then good Lord give them Kelty.
1796. Statist. Acc. Scotl., Perths., XVIII. 474. Nothing is more common, at this very day, when one refuses to take his glass, than to be threatened with Keltie’s Mends.
a. 1835. Hogg, Tales (1866), 405 (E. D. D.). Gin he winna tak that, gie him kelty.
1879. P. R. Drummond, Perth. Bygone Days, xii. 66. Peremptorily called upon by the chair to drink ‘Kelty,’ or another glass.
